On Monday 18 November, as expected, EU foreign ministers did not support the proposal put forward by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, to suspend political dialogue with Israel.
Highlighting the “apocalyptic” situation in Gaza and stating that there were “no more words” to describe the situation in the Middle East, the High Representative explained to the media that he had wanted to suspend the part of the Association Agreement that falls within the sole remit of the EU Council, “knowing that the European Commission has not proposed anything” following requests from Ireland and Spain (see EUROPE 13350/1).
“Most Member States considered it best to continue political and diplomatic relations with Israel”, he announced at the end of the Foreign Affairs Council, acknowledging that this decision had been expected.
“I did what I thought was the right thing to do, to present a report that collated the information and the facts and, on that basis, I made a proposal that corresponded to what my judgement dictated I should do”, he explained, even though some ministers had expressed their incomprehension earlier in the day.
“I wonder what he wants to achieve. I think it’s better (...) to do what we can achieve within the framework of consensus, rather than proposing individual ideas like this. Sometimes this involves sanctions, and sometimes it is about suspending dialogue. This doesn’t do anything, it’s not very coherent”, emphasised the Czech minister, Jan Lipavský, on his arrival at the council meeting. “We have to keep the doors open”, stressed Dutchman Casper Veldkamp, who noted that the High Representative had previously pushed for political dialogue. “There is a new Israeli Foreign Minister, and soon there will be a new High Representative. Let’s use this opportunity to have a dialogue”, he added.
While Mr Borrell was supported in his approach by the Spanish Secretary of State, Diego Martínez Belío, who explained that the situation in Gaza was “disastrous and unacceptable”, Italian minister Antonio Tajani said that “boycotting dialogue with Israel made no sense. If you want to work for peace, you can’t stop talking to Israel”. “You may have different ideas from those of Israel, but it makes no sense to think of interrupting the dialogue with Israel, and above all, it is not useful if we want to achieve peace”, he added.
In addition to dialogue, the High Representative also highlighted measures that could be taken in order to be sure that we fulfil all commitments in order not to trade with the products produced on occupied territories according to the rules of the International Court of Justice. Europeans must already label products from the colonies. “Member States will decide whether they intend to take additional measures following the ICJ’s ruling”, said Mr Borrell.
Agreement on support for the Palestinian Authority. At the end of the Council, the European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi, announced an agreement between the European Commission and the Palestinian Authority on a solid and credible reform programme, “with firm commitments from the PA on fiscal and financial stability, accountability, rule of law and transparency, reforms of the wage bill, overhaul of education and curricula, the social security system and the prisoner payment system, as well as the fight against corruption”. This agreement will enable the disbursement of 110 million euros in emergency aid, he announced on X.
Mr Borrell also announced that the next follow-up meeting of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution would be held on 28 November in Brussels. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)